Is it a sign of a financial recovery, or just a sign of some confidence that recovery will soon occur, when three cruise lines order brand new cruise ships?

Let's not get too excited. In fact, when a cruise line orders a new cruise ship it will still takes two to three years before the ship is completely built and the full and final payment to the shipyard becomes due.

Paul, I heard Mark Conroy, outgoing President of Regent Seven Seas Cruises, talk the other day. He sad "IF" Regent does choose to build a new ship, it is "likely" to be ready in late 2015 or early 2016. He also announced a number of other "likely" characteristis "IF the ship is built. :D